Wheel size

[cyclesick]

I'm trying to get tires for my '79 w200 with 16.5 rims and stock ride height. I can't find any outlets that even list 16.5's as available for order. I'm thinking of going to 16's, but I don't know if dodge used 16's or if so, on what years. I'm not looking for anything aftermarket. Just plain Jane stock type steel. I looked into the 17's from the 2500's from the nineties up, but I was told by several people that the offset on the 17's is different and tucks the wheels under the truck too far. Has anyone else with a 3/4 ton had this problem finding tires and or rims, and if so, what did you do to solve it? What are you guys with the 3/4 ton 8 lug trucks doing for tires and rims?

 

[65 sporty]

Check out late 80's early 90's Dodge 250's, they have 16" wheels, 8 x 6.5 bolt pattern

 

[captainchrysler]

Originally any .5 size wheel/tire was the way the factories were able to get a higher weight capacity tire without a split rim and go tubeless. Usually a little wider that the same with a split rim too. Smooth ride quality didn't normally exist with a tire with rubber that thick either. Tire technology has made that combination kinda obsolete. For those reasons 16.5 tires are not popular anymore and are hard to find in anything that's not super heavy duty or without giant lugs. They are out there but are very spendy. I switched to 16 on my 77 van, I paid less for 5 good quality Kumho tires than I would have paid for 2 cheap 16.5s.

16.5 was stock for 3/4 and 1 ton pickups and vans until the early 80's, 16s were optional. Slight variations in disc and rim patterns happened over the years but are not worth noting. All of the stock steel 16's and 16.5's Mopar used in the 70's and 80's were 6.5 wide. Ford and GM 16's will bolt on but have different a 'face' if you don't have a hub cap and they also used different widths.

Not the greatest comparison pictures but most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference (visually) between the two sizes.

 

[paul massaro]

rims from a dodge or ford 8 lug rims enter change if the ford has floating rear axles , gm rims have to small a center hole to fit over the hub .

 

[paul massaro]

so make sure the center hole is large enough

 

[7mopar]

Try Firestone.

 

[cyclesick]

To everyone that replied, thanks. I'm leaning towards 16's just so I won’t have to worry about finding tires in the future.

 

[corbin]

4 wheel parts list 33" tall tires for 16.5" wheels. An LT285 75R16 comes in at 32.8 inches tall. I doubt you or anyone else that matters is gonna miss that .2 inches

 

[paul massaro]

well those 33 x 16.5's are a much wider tire foot print , and should be on a 10 wide rim as well , and there is so few 16.5 tires offered up . those gents with them are scooping them up . or buying rims and tires , i myself run lt285/80rx16 if i can on the street . but i have some 16.5 i'm replacing as well . but my 79 w300 has 4.56's in the drives , so taller is better , in fact i'm looking at 35 tall even 44 tall for the deep gear ratio . and need i say deep geared for my 41 wc , looking at 9.00x16 for it . that way it could cruz at 55 without straining that flat spitfire six .

 

[7mopar]

well those 33 x 16.5's are a much wider tire foot print , and should be on a 10 wide rim as well , and there is so few 16.5 tires offered up . those gents with them are scooping them up . or buying rims and tires , i myself run lt285/80rx16 if i can on the street . but i have some 16.5 i'm replacing as well . but my 79 w300 has 4.56's in the drives , so taller is better , in fact i'm looking at 35 tall even 44 tall for the deep gear ratio . and need i say deep geared for my 41 wc , looking at 9.00x16 for it . that way it could cruz at 55 without straining that flat spitfire six .

View attachment 23093

View attachment 23094

How did you get blessed with 4:56 gears Paul. I wouldn't think 55 would be a problem with 32" tires. The 82 manages 55 at 3200 with 5:56 and 30" tires (9.50 16.5). So far the max pratical road speed is 60. I have even had it to 80 for a brief time on night when I was in a hurry until the oil presure droped.

 

[7mopar]

I attcualy find tire sizes a little crazy when 38" tall 15's can be had. I had meet one person that mounted Humvy tires on 16.6 wheels. I am in no why advocating this just the fact it has been done.

 

[paul massaro]

7mopar , the 4.56's are in my 79 w300 . but my 41mc has a much deeper gear , that's why i'm looking at a taller tire , with 7.50x16's it's a 45 mph truck .

 

[7mopar]

7mopar , the 4.56's are in my 79 w300 . but my 41mc has a much deeper gear , that's why i'm looking at a taller tire , with 7.50x16's it's a 45 mph truck .

View attachment 23145

View attachment 23146

Those wheels have an odd-looking bolt pattern for that size a tire. They must have put military axles under that thing. I think mine was a delivery truck at one point in life.

 

[paul massaro]

well that is a 5 lug budd pattern , budd made brakes , drums , hubs , rims and their own lug nuts , in 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 lug patterns used through out the heavy truck industry as you can see for years , even prior to the ww2 .

 

[paul massaro]

a buddy of mine is selling a couple his trucks 61 w300 , it has 19.5 rims stock the green one is the 61 and the other one is a 65 d300 , both are for sale